Ratings: Shonen-ai . . . PG for very mild swearing and homosexuality
Pairings: 2x1/1x2
Summary: Duo Maxwell accepts a challenge he regrets involving his best friend. But how will Heero react? *AU* Rated PG for homosexuality and very mild swearing
Author's Notes:
I repeat, I own nothing Gundam Wing. Only this fic.
I am soooooooo sorry this is taking me forever to write! But I don't really know how I want it to end. Heero rescuing Duo at the last minute is too common, but Heero not being able to save him is sad and almost defeats the purpose of this fic getting them together. Anyway, sorry again if this chapter is total crap, because I'm exhausted from colorguard and schoolwork, I'm brain-dead, and I'm fatigued from lack of sleep. Plus, this was going to be the final chapter, but I think I may have to extend it a bit. Well, here's a little preview of the next chapter (as in, what I in my laziness and also hectic schedule has actually gotten around to doing)!
Part Six: Playing the Hero
Knock! Knock!
I anxiously wait at the door. It took a while, but I finally found out the place Duo was staying at from some people that were familiar with his grandfather. Besides, it tends to pique people's curiosities to see a guy running around with that long braid of thick, silky chesntut hair...
Now is *NOT* the time to be daydreaming! I snap.
I am still scowling when Howard opens the door.
"Uh, can I help you, kid?" he asks, tilting up his shades. It strikes me as absurd that someone would be wearing sunglasses at ten at night...
Shit, it's ten p.m.! I'm mentally cursing at myself for coming so late at night.
"I'm looking for Duo Maxwell. I heard he was staying here...?"
He eyes me warily. "How do you know Duo?"
I stop myself from glaring at such a stupid question. "He's my best friend."
"Is that reciprocated?"
Huh? What the hell is he talking about? "Pardon?" I inquire.
"Many would consider him, being such a cheerful guy, their best friend, but he only considers one person worthy of that title. So he's your best friend, but are you his?"
"More nonsense. "Of course," I shoot back acidly, practically biting his head off.
Howard suddenly grins at me, reminding me of Duo. I can see the family resemblance.
"Nice to meet you, Heero."
He has me surprised again. "How did you..." My voice trails off.
"Duo talks... talked about you all the time."
I fight a growing sense of dread. Something's not right. "Talked?" I repeat.
He signs and rubs his temple. "Talked. He doesn't speak much anymore. He just showed up here one day begging me to let him stay until he cleared his head of some stuff that had happened. Since then, he's been totally out of character- quiet, sullen, depressed. Hardly eats, hardly sleeps. Do you know why?"
I'd be an idiot not to.
"I have a hunch," I reply vaguely. "May I see him?"
"Howard leans against the doorframe, crossing his arms and gazing into the darkness behind me. Searching?
"I'd let ya, but..."
"But what?"
"But he's not here."
I scowl in frustration. "Well, do you have any idea where he's staying now?" It dawns on me that he never said he had allowed his grandson to stay- odd thinking of Duo as someone's grandson. Makes him sound so young.
"Oh, he's staying here," Howard assures me. "But..." he went for a walk a few hours ago, just down to the store, and never came back."
"WHAT?!" I yelp. This is entirely unlike me, but I can't help it. What the hell is he doing, taking a walk so late at night?! "Where did he go?"
"That's the strange thing," Howard responds. This man's distant way of talking is seriously starting to bug me. "He said he'd just go down to a fairly nearby little shop and back, but I was just there about twenty minutes ago and the storekeeper- a buddy of mine named Helen who knows Duo almost as well as I do- said that he left ages ago. He should have been back by now."
Something's wrong. I don't know what- besides the obvious, Duo being missing- and I don't know how I know. Maybe my connection with him is just that strong, but a part of me is positive that he's in trouble.
"Do you know any other ways he may have walked home?" I ask urgently, suppressing a deep growl as the old man shakes his head. Suddenly, he freezes. I spin around, thinking that maybe Duo is back, but no one is behind me. I look back at Howard to find his brow furrowed in thought.
"I... think... there may be another way."
Well, that's just great, I think sarcastically. Care to be a little bit more specific? But before I can say anything, he continues on.
"Part of the way there, there's a side street. It's the kinda place normal kids wouldn't wanna hang around, what with gangs and drug dealers around every corner.It's a shortcut to the store, and I told Duo not to go down it... but I don't think he was really paying attention to what I said."
"Does he have any weapons on him?" I ask urgently. He's slick with a blade, but he had left his at my house that day... Howard's discouraging head shake only serves to heighten my already skyrocketing anxiety.
I set a determined look on my face, both for Howard and making myself a vow.
"I'll find him."